Gillibrand Warriors 4 Ladybridge 3

After Sundays victory in the Cup against Gillibrand we said this was to be no walk over and that is how it turned out.

2 seasons this team has played in this league and for 2 seasons they have remained unbeaten. Today was there undoing and although some wont beleive me but it is an actual releif as it felt like a big weight had been lifted off our shoulders!!

There were 2 comparisons with this match and Sundays game. The first being that 7 goals were scored and the second being that the best team won.

Ladybridge started with Ashley in goals, a back three of Jack, Oliver and Joe. A midfield of Josh, Chris, Rob, James and Tom Sc and a front 2 of George and Tom.

The subs today were Isaac, Liam and Lewis with Luke and Jimmy unavailable.

Ladybridge started well on the small pitch with George breaking into the box after only a minute, but his looping shot rebounded off the top of the bar, when it looked like it was going in.

GW showed early on though that they were up for this game, biting into the tackles, winning balls in the air and closing down the Ladybridge team at every opportunity. They stopped us playing first and then started to get their game going which was quicka nd it was incisive.

After 7 minutes GW cut down the left flank with some great one touch football to get beyond Jack. The cross came in but was deflected out for a throw on the opposite side of the pitch.

The throw came in and reached the centre of the goal area, but unfortunately for GW, they couldnt get a touch and the danger was cleared.

10 minutes and back came Ladybridge with a through ball by Robert to pick out Tom and his delightful chip was pushed away by the agile GW keeper.

2 minutes later and GW were rightly awarded a free kick 25 yards out, slightly to the left of centre and the midfielder hit a sweet shot which Ash, di well to get down and collecte at the second attempt.

GW had more of the possession and looked the more dangerous as Ladybridge just could not get there game going and then out of the blue on 19 minutes the ball dropped to James Beas feet 20 yards and he shinned it into the bottom corner of the net for an unlikely lead. 0 - 1

A minute later and Ladybridge were awarded a free kick wide right and Joe stepped up and hit a sweet left foot cross to the far post which was met by an acrobatic overhead kick which just went wide of the mark by James Bea.

GW then took control of the game again and started to press the Bolton boys back and on 28 minutes they were awarded a corner on there left which came in and was scrambled clear as it dropped in the sand in the goalmouth. A second conrer was awarded and the GW strikers got a great effort in which Chris managed to clear off the line.

GW werent finished yet though was Ladybridge just could not get the ball away from there 18 yard area and the ball was pushed out to the right back who was wide right and he hit a sweet shot which smashed into the roof of the net for a well deserved goal. 1 - 1

I just clapped on the sidelines as frankly the pressure they applied really did warrant an award.

GW then pressed until half time, pinging the ball between each other and Ladybridge at thisn time looked dead on there feet chasing shadows. It was a welcome for the half time whistle.

Half time 1 - 1

The boys were told that the pitch was too small and sandy to play there football and as such they had to try to play the pressure game, buyt getting the ball into the GW box as quick as posisble. This wasnt really in our makeup at this time, but we had to give it a go as we could see the writing on the wall.

The boys bwere sent out and the formation was changed to 4 - 4 - 2 to try and bolster the defence which at times in the first half was overrun

GW came out like a team possessed and immediatley put Ladybridge under a lot of pressure. They had their tails up and they were after a victory which would be very sweet indeed.

2 corners came in quick succession, and it was the second which was the undoing as the ball dropped right at the side of 4 yellow shirts and they all left it for each other instead of clearing the danger. The GW didnt wasit this invitation and he pounced on our hestitancy and slammed the ball home. 2 - 1

On 5 minutes Ladybridge had a brief respite as George used his strength to force an opportunity, but his shot was cleared by the keeper. Then moments later as Ladybridge pushed for the equaliser, Jack who was supporting from right back and an effort from outside the penalty area which went wide of the mark.

10 minutes a straight ball was played towards our 18 yard box and Ashley shouted for the defence to clear, but came off his line. Lewis who was defending tried to play the ball back to Ash who at this time was near him and the ball rolled into an empty net. 2 mistakes here. 1 from the keeper, as if you shout for the defence to clear the ball. This means you arent coming for it and as such should stay back on your line and secondly the defender. If the keeper shouts for you to clear it you get rid.

But dont worry lads, its a learning curve, and we have seen many professionals make the same mistakes. 3 - 1

Straight from the kick off Ladybridge pushed down the right and James Be managed to skip past a couple of challenges before getting his shot away which went wide of the mark.

12 minutes and GW were again awarded a free kick just oustide our 18 yard box and the midfielder hit a super strike which smashed into the roof of the net 4 - 1

GW had put on a 12 minute spell which our boys today just couldnt cope with, call it end of season blues, call it what you like but this spell of football, even when our boys were at their best would have caused them lots of problems, and full credit must be afforded to the opposition who picked themselves up so gallantly after the Cup Final.

2 minutes later and George woke the team up again, using his strength to create space up front, but again his strike went wide of the mark

16 minutes and it could have been 5 as GW shifted the ball very well to open up our boys again and then the striker smahsed the ball off the corssbar.

Then came a minute of football which sent shock waves through the opposition and raised the expectations of the Bolton contingent as first George whipped in a terrific corner whcih was met by Oliver and the ball slid into the bottom corner of the net. 4 - 2

Straight from the kick off, Ladybridge nicked the ball back played in George who was on the right touchline and just when I thought he was going to cross it he looked up and smashed and unstaoppable drive into the top corner of the net 4 - 3

GW had all the play and derserved their lead, but this had given Ladybridge hope that they could at the very least steal a point.

The next 15 minutes was even as both teams created chances but it was Ladybridge who came the closest on 28 minutes when George rose unmarked centre of the goals to head a ball, which unfortunately did not have the conviction required and the defender managed to clear from the line.

The last couple of minutes became desperation stuff as Ladybridge reverted to 2 at the back, 5 in midfield and 3 up front in order to get that elusive equaliser and nearly paid the price with some quick breakaways by GW.

It wasnt to be and GW walked away with the well deserved spoils.

The nicest thing about the day was that the game was played in a great spirit by both teams, and each player and official warmly shaked hands at the end after a great game of football.

It was also nice to see the boys from GW show both sets of supporters that they are a class act who will be a force to be reckoned with next season

We look forward to locking horns with you again and wish you all the very best in the run in.

As for Ladybridge, it wasnt your day. At the end one of the lads was crying as he had thought he had let the side down. Nobody has let anybody down!!

You boys have had a fantastic season, you have played some wonderful football. You have played some determined football. You have been head and shoulders above the rest in the league and you have won the league.

You will go to the Guild Hall proud Champions and Cup Winners!!

It is getting tougher each season and lets hope it is even tougher next. As we want to raise the standards of all kids playing football and show the people of Lancashire what we can do, and it will be done in the right manner.

As for today. Oliver worked his socks off, and Josh was tremendous until his injury which meant his early replacement. But today, George held the ball up well, yes he missed a sitter at the end with his head (Practice BOY!!) but he ran the line to the best of his abilities all night and scored a screamer from the wing and as such rightly walked off with the Man of the Match accolades.

Well done George and well done boys

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